Each year, Indonesia observes National Children’s Day (or more informally, National Kids Day). This is a day for Indonesians to remember the importance and indispensability of children for the country’s future, and the future of the world. Furthermore, Children’s Day is a good time to reflect on education in Indonesia, as well as children’s rights in Indonesia. Another benefit of realizing children’s potential on this day is urging an end to child exploitation in Indonesia.
In learning about National Children’s Day, you’re allowing yourself a better glance at Indonesian culture, family values in Indonesia, and even the family system in Indonesia! Understanding a country’s culture is one of the most important steps in mastering its language, and at IndonesianPod101.com, we hope to make this learning journey both fun and informative!
1. What is National Children’s Day in Indonesia?
National Children’s Day is an important national day that has been commemorated since 1986. National Children’s Day was the idea of the late Soeharto, the second president of the Republic of Indonesia, who regarded children as assets for the nation’s development.
2. When is National Children’s Day in Indonesia?
So, when is Children’s Day? In 1984, the Indonesian Government assigned July 23 as National Children’s Day, and Indonesia still observes it on this date.
3. Reading Practice: How is National Children’s Day Celebrated?
How do Indonesians celebrate their National Children’s Day? Read the Indonesian text below to learn about Children’s Day traditions, and what to expect! You can find the English translation directly below it.
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Rangkaian peringatan Hari Anak Nasional biasanya telah dipersiapkan satu tahun sebelumnya oleh segenap komponen bangsa (Kementerian, Lembaga Pemerintah, swasta dan masyarakat) baik di pusat, propinsi, kabupaten/kota dan Perwakilan RI di Luar Negeri. Hal ini menunjukan keseriusan pemerintah dalam membina aset terpenting bangsa, yaitu anak.
Karnaval anak nusantara menjadi kegiatan yang tidak pernah absen dalam peringatan Hari Anak Nasional. Melalui karnaval ini, anak-anak diperkenalkan dengan berbagai suku bangsa dan adat budaya yang hidup di Indonesia. Anak-anak berbaris berpasang-pasangan sambil memperagakan pakaian daerah dari berbagai propinsi. Sementara itu di sisi jalan, penonton berdesakan menonton dan memberi semangat kepada para peragawan cilik. Karnaval ini juga dimeriahkan oleh marching band tingkat TK, tari-tarian tradisional, hingga shalawat rebana.
Festival permainan tradisional juga digelar untuk menghidupkan kembali permainan tradisional di era digital. Walaupun kini akrab dengan permainan digital modern, anak-anak tetap tertarik untuk mencoba berbagai permainan tradisional seperti jamuran, enggrang, gobak sodor, tekongan, dan petak umpet. Jenis-jenis permainan ini menanamkan nilai-nilai kerja sama kepada anak.
Salah satu permainan tradisional adalah lomba sepeda lambat. Berlawanan dengan balap sepeda, siapa yang paling terakhir sampai di garis akhir adalah pemenangnya. Tentu saja peserta yang jatuh di tengah jalan harus gugur.
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The events for National Children’s Day commemoration are usually prepared in the preceding year by all segments of the nation (the Ministry, Governmental Institutions, the private sector, and society) at the central, the provincial, the regency/city governmental levels, as well as by the Indonesian Representatives Abroad. This shows the government’s seriousness in fostering the most important asset to the nation, which is children.
The Archipelago Children’s Carnival is never missed in the commemoration of National Children’s Day. Through this carnival, children are introduced to various ethnic groups and indigenous cultures living in Indonesia. The children march in couples exhibiting regional apparel from various provinces. Meanwhile, on the side of the road, the spectators crowd to watch and cheer the junior models. This carnival is also livened up by a kindergarten marching band, and the traditional dances to the Rebana Shalawat performance.
A traditional games festival is also held to revive traditional games in this digital era. Although modern digital games are more familiar, children are also attracted to trying various traditional games, such as jamuran, enggrang (stilts), gobak sodor, tekongan, and petak umpet (hide and seek). These games instill the value of cooperation in children.
One of these traditional games is the slow bicycle race. Unlike a usual bicycle race, whoever reaches the finish line last is the winner. Of course, the participants who fall along the track are dismissed.
4. My Balloon
Do you know what the most popular Indonesian children’s song is?
I have five balloons / All sorts of colors / Green, yellow, gray / Pink and blue / The green balloon explodes POP! / My heart is very disturbed (or confused) / I have four balloons left / I hold them tight.
5. Useful Vocabulary to Know for Indonesian Children’s Day
Here’s some vocabulary you should know for National Children’s Day in Indonesia!
We hope you enjoyed learning about National Children’s Day in Indonesia with us! Did you learn anything new? Is there a similar holiday in your own country? Let us know in the comments!
Know that all of the hard work you’re putting into your Indonesian studies will pay off, and you’ll be speaking, reading, and writing Indonesian like a native before you know it!
The Indonesian language was literally designed to be easy.
Seriously. Easy alphabet, easy grammar, easy pronunciation. It’s a constructed standard that’s been promoted in order to build a national identity and unite the very different groups of people all over the country.
And in that, it works really well. Where it doesn’t always work well, however, is in translation (where untranslatable words in Indonesian come in).
No matter their reason for pursuing it, many Indonesian learners are delighted to find that quite a few words and expressions translate quite readily into English. That only makes it more confusing when there are new concepts that take more mental gymnastics to understand.
In this article, we’ve prepared a couple of representative examples for words in Indonesian that are pretty tricky to translate into English.
Fortunately, you can’t have an article on Indonesian phrases with no English equivalent without doing your best to explain them, so get ready for a nice mental workout! Let’s learn beautiful untranslatable Indonesian words in Indonesian language to help color your conversation like a native!
Okay, this is kind of cheating. English just simply hasn’t had the kind of influence from Indonesian and Islam that Indonesia has, and so even English-speaking Muslims usually just use the Indonesian terms for a lot of these concepts. That said, here are some Indonesian words with no English translation that have to do with religion.
1- Najis
It’s no surprise that a language intertwined with religion would have quite a lot to say about what is and isn’t permissible. If something is najis, it’s “dirty,” it’s “impure,” and it’s “wrong” all at once. It’s not a mortal sin by any means—it’s instead something that causes you to have to ask for forgiveness from God. Although most Indonesians are practicing Muslims, this sort of word is mainly used in discussions of philosophy or religion, and so it’s not the type of thing you’ll hear in day-to-day life. Here’s an untranslatable words in Indonesian sentence to give you an idea of what you may hear:
Apa artinya najis di waktu ini?
“What does it mean to be impure in these times?”
The other words here are much more common in daily religious talk.
2- Salat
Where other cultures have different words for the time of day based on the sun’s approximate position (morning, noon, and night), Indonesia sees that through a different lens. Each day, according to meticulous calculations of the sun’s position relative to the horizon, five prayer calls are sounded from each mosque. This divides the day into different sections—and this whole explanation is needed to express the meaning of the word salat, or “prayer time.”
Ayo, kita salat!
“C’mon, let’s go pray!”
3- Ibadah
This is a word that you’re likely to see all over in various advertisements around town. It means something in the neighborhood of “duties that one does in relation to Islam,” or even “religious deeds.” Again, tough to translate because even in the Christian vocabulary commonly used in the West, there’s not really a single word one can point to to capture the idea of the actions that someone does in their worship.
You’ll often see this word in the combination ibadah hajj, which is a little bit easier—it’s the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, something folks in the West are more familiar with.
Itu adalah ibadah sehari-harinya.
“That is his daily worship.”
2. Words for Respect
Standard Indonesian has been heavily influenced by Javanese. Javanese, for those who haven’t yet tried to tackle it, is a fiendishly complex language with whole different vocabulary sets used to show respect for others.
This goes hand-in-hand with the very rigid social structure of traditional Javanese society, where paying respect to your superiors in word and deed is simply required in order for things to go smoothly. Here are some Indonesian words that are untranslatable, but may help you out in a pinch.
1- Si; sang
Indonesian has an interesting relationship with pronouns and titles. There’s no word for “Mr.” or “Mrs.,” but plenty of words that kind of take their place.
Si and sang are used as respectful titles, with sang being the more respectful of the two. You’d use it for presidents, princes, kings, and so on. Si is an interesting case, seen quite often in fairy tales or stories to refer to “the hunter” or “the adventurer.” This may be one of the most beautiful Indonesian untranslatable words!
Sang presiden akan bertanggung jawab atas masalah-masalah tersebut.
“The president will take responsibility for the problems mentioned.”
2- Kak; bro; sis; mas; mbak
These are some of the most fascinating untranslatable words in Indonesian grammar, considering how many are grouped together here. I’ve put all these into one category because they’re all different forms of the same general idea, even if you won’t find each one in an Indonesian dictionary. Any service person is going to pepper their speech to you with these words, particularly if you’re both relatively young.
They’re kind of substitutes for saying “you,” because it sounds too familiar to use the actual pronoun with someone you don’t really know. Mbak, kak, and sis are all used with women, and mas or bro get used with men. Here’s one of these untranslatable words in Indonesian phrase:
Pakai cabe, bro?
“Do you want peppers, sir?”
Yeah, bro comes from English, and yeah, it’s a little weird to translate it as “sir.” That’s what makes it so hard to translate! It’s a polite particle, and yet way more informal than “sir” is in English. At the same time, it doesn’t come with any of the trappings of “bro culture” that you might associate the word with in English.
3. Words for Daily Life
1- Gak enak
If someone wants to do you a favor and you feel like you’d feel bad about it, what can you say? Refusing it outright is no good, as that’s pretty rude in Indonesian culture. Instead, you simply say that you “wouldn’t feel delicious.” A strange way to put things in English, but in Indonesian, it very clearly gets the message across that the other party needn’t trouble themselves.
A: Aku membayar hari ini!
B: Ehh, gak enak.
A: “I’m buying today!”
B: “Eh, I’d rather take care of it.”
2- Oh begitu
If there’s one word (actually, a phrase) that you want to adopt to really sound Indonesian, it’s this one. Literally, it means “like so,” but it’s essentially the equivalent of “Oh, I see!”
It’s used all the time, and with all kinds of subtle meanings. Bored and want to change the topic? Oh begitu. Finally understand something that’s been bothering you? Oh, begituuuu!
The newspaper Kompas even has a special “far out” section called, appropriately, Oh begitu.
3- Cuci mata
Ever heard of “eye bleach?” That’s a pretty graphic way of describing something refreshing to look at when you’ve just seen something shocking or gruesome. In Indonesian, “washing one’s eyes” can indicate that they simply need to take a break—when they’re fed up with staring at their homework, for instance, or with seeing the same lizards go in circles on their wall. And what form does this relief take? Generally, window-shopping!
Saya pergi ke Mal Mangga Dua untuk cuci mata.
“I’m going to Mangga Dua Mall to give my eyes a break.”
4. Words that Add Flavor
Indonesian has a number of little “particle” words that, well, have no meaning on their own. They don’t really count as vocabulary that you might find in a list of words. These untranslatable words from Indonesia may seem tricky at first glance.
What do they do with no meaning? They change the tone of the sentence, adding a word that conveys what English speakers would normally do with a different kind of sentence or a different tone of voice.
1- Kok
kok has to do with surprise, showing that you expected something different. It means something similar to “why” and could be replaced by kenapa (also meaning “why”). It’s really flexible in where it can be used—practically anywhere in the sentence is fair game. Here’s what two sentences look like with and without it.
Kok, kucing di atas meja??
“Whoa, the cat is on the table?”
It’s easy to use it with even single words, provided you’ve got the appropriate shocked tone of voice.
Aku lupa. Kok lupa?!
“I forgot. Why I forgot?!”
2- Sih
Where kok pointed out something unusual, sih shows that you’re a bit surprised that the other person doesn’t know something. On the one hand, it softens the meaning of certain phrases, while on the other hand, it can insert just the slightest bit of joking annoyance into the conversation.
A: Di mana kamu beli pisang gorengnya?
B: Di sana, sih.
A: “Where did you get that fried banana?”
B: “Over there, of course.”
Sih can also accentuate a complaint:
Kamu kok belum siap-siap sih?
“Why haven’t you dressed yet?”
Sih can introduce a contradiction or something that’s not expected:
Tadinya sih begitu…
“Well, it was like that initially…”
Sih urges for more information:
Di mana sih (sih in bold) rumahnya?
“Where is the house exactly?”
Sih is also used when the speaker is thinking about what to say:
Sepertinya sih… begitu.
“It looks…that way.”
3- Kan
The word kan is actually a contraction (Indonesians love contractions) of betul bukan meaning “Correct, no?” which is used to ask for confirmation about the correctness of a statement. As a particle, it’s used as a sort of filler, when you want to slightly emphasize some new information.
Ini kan yang paling baru. (Shortened version of: Ini yang paling baru, betul bukan?)
“This is the newest one, isn’t it?!”
5. Conclusion
The thing about words you can’t translate is that non-native speakers end up using them all the time.
How do they get to the level where they can do that? How do you grow your untranslatable words in Indonesian vocabulary that much? It’s no magic trick.
It’s simply enough contact with the language over time to slowly understand how to organize their thoughts in the Indonesian way. It comes from really letting the words and phrases sink in through watching tons of TV and reading tons of books—in other words, using the correct resources in the correct way.
That kind of ability is accessible to anyone who can put in the time. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be speaking Indonesian one day and realize: “I don’t know how to say that in English.”
We hope this list of untranslatable Indonesian words in Indonesian language was both helpful and informative. After going over these examples of untranslatable Indonesian words to English words, what’s your favorite Indonesian untranslatable word? Let us know in the comments! Start with a bonus, and download the Must-Know Beginner Vocabulary PDF for FREE! (Logged-In Member Only)
Out of the many, many countries that I’ve been to, Indonesia is one that I can describe as the “friendliest.”
People just want to talk to you, in a real and genuine way that doesn’t happen in some other countries where foreigners are either too commonplace or too much of a curiosity.
And although a lot of younger people in big cities can hold conversations in English, there are also quite a few people who would love to chat and find out more about you—if only you knew how to introduce yourself in Indonesian. So, must you learn how to introduce yourself to learn Indonesian? Yes!
When you learn Indonesian, how to introduce yourself can’t be skipped over! That’s where we come in, as we’ll teach you how to introduce yourself (English to Indonesian).
The Indonesian language has been called easy to pick up, but it’s opaque enough that a helping hand is always welcome. With this guide to introducing yourself in Indonesian, you’ll hit the ground running and make a marvelous first impression.
By the way, before we begin, make sure to check out our video on Self-introductions in Indonesian in Three Minutes for a quick summary of what we’ll go over here!
When learning how to speak Indonesian when introducing yourself, keep in mind that any good interaction begins with a greeting. Though the borrowed word “hello,” or even “hey guys,” is pretty common in Indonesia, you can’t go wrong with a slightly more formal greeting.
Indonesian has four different greetings that are used throughout the day, based on the Islamic prayer calls that are easily audible from any point in a city.
Fortunately, they translate pretty easily to greetings in English!
English
Indonesian
“Good morning!”
Selamat pagi!
“Good afternoon!”
Selamat siang!
“Good evening!”
Selamat sore!
“Good night!”
Selamat malam!
Just like in English, the first word of these can be—and is—often dropped, leaving you with an exchange like: Pagi! Pagi! Essentially, this is how to introduce yourself in Indonesian language informally.
2. What’s Your Name? (Siapa Nama Anda?)
Talking about your name in Indonesian is a must. Above is a simple question, and one that you’re likely to hear a number of times. Truly, it’s the backbone of any self-introduction in Indonesian. When learning to introduce yourself in Indonesian, lessons will always include this phrase.
Nama saya Dilan.
“My name is Dilan.”
Indonesians are known for having very short names at times, and very long names at others. For instance, the first president of Indonesia was called Soekarno, and a famous Indonesian poet goes by Sapardi Djoko Damono.
If you happen to have a long and difficult name, there’s one common way that you can ease the burden for others.
Nama saya Alexander. Panggil Al saja.
“My name is Alexander. Just call me Al.”
Incidentally, this happens all the time when Indonesians introduce themselves in a formal context—except the phrasing is different.
Perkenalkan, nama saya Rinawati, singkatnya Rini.
“Let me introduce myself, my name is Rinawati, Rini for short.”
3. Where are You From? (Dari Mana?)
You’ll definitely learn to recognize this question no matter how quickly it’s spoken. It may be the most common question asked to foreigners anywhere, and is essential when learning how to introduce yourself in Bahasa, Indonesia. In certain contexts in the West, asking this of a visitor may seem a little rude, but that’s certainly not the case in Indonesia.
Since dari simply means “from,” it’s not a stretch to come up with the answer:
Saya dari Rusia.
“I’m from Russia.”
Saya dari Amerika Serikat.
“I’m from the US.”
Maybe the person you’re speaking to is familiar with the place, so they ask for more specifics.
Dari mana di Amerika?
“Where in America?”
Dari Kalifornia!
“From California!”
If you’re giving some kind of lengthier introduction, there’s another acceptable phrase. However, it sounds a little stilted coming as a response to the simple question dari mana:
Saya orang Jepang.
“I’m from Japan.” (Literally: “I’m a Japanese person.” )
4. Why are You Learning Indonesian? (Mengapa Anda Belajar Bahasa Indonesia?)
The Indonesian language isn’t a particularly common one to study. And Indonesians know this.
So at some early point in a conversation with a curious local, expect to explain yourself: Why would you choose to study a language like this? And, possibly, how are you doing it?
Of course, there are as many correct answers to this as there are people in Indonesian classes. Here are some possible ones:
Karena saya mau pindah ke Bali.
“Because I want to move to Bali.”
Karena saya sedang belajar hubungan internasional.
“Because I’m studying international relations.”
Karena saya suka Indomie!
“Because I like Indomie!” (a very popular brand of instant noodles)
After you’ve explained, you might get this follow-up:
Apakah bahasa Indonesia sulit?
“Is Indonesian difficult?”
Maybe yes, maybe no. I personally answer something like this:
Tidak terlalu sulit. Tetapi kosakata susah diingat.
“Not too hard. But the vocabulary is hard to remember!”
If you’re from a country where English isn’t the official language, you can get some smiles by saying:
Lebih mudah daripada bahasa Inggris!
“Easier than English!”
5. Why are You Visiting? (Mengapa Anda Ke Sini?)
In English, you could render this question as “Why are you here?” but it’s nowhere near as brusque in Indonesian.
Every Indonesian knows that Bali is a tourist magnet for people from all over the world. Perhaps that’s why you’re visiting?
Karena saya mau lihat pantai-pantai di Bali.
“Because I want to see the beaches on Bali.”
Or perhaps it’s because you’re really into traditional music—such as gamelan, a musical style made up of bells and gongs of different sizes, played by several people at once. Or you’re simply there to see the sights.
Karena saya suka musik gamelan.
“Because I like gamelan music.”
Pariwisata saja. Saya sudah ke Jakarta dan Yogyakarta.
“Just tourism. I’ve already been to Jakarta and Yogyakarta.”
People that are into cultures and languages and travel just for that cultural experience may have a different answer…
Saya belajar bahasa Indonesia karena saya mau ke Indonesia. Saya mau ke Indonesia karena saya belajar bahasa Indonesia!
“I’m studying Indonesian because I want to go to Indonesia. I want to go to Indonesia because I’m studying Indonesian!”
6. What Do You Do? (Apa Pekerjaan Anda?)
Now, this question is likely to come as a guess. In my own experience, people tend to try their luck guessing your job first, then asking.
Apakah Anda mahasiswa?
“Are you a student?”
In Indonesian, it’s technically possible to formulate your answer explicitly in this way:
Saya bekerja sebagai dokter.
“I work as a doctor.”
But nobody talks like that in English, and few people would talk like that in Indonesian.
Saya dokter.
“I’m a doctor.”
That’s better!
That verb, though, bekerja meaning “to work,” is very flexible. Perhaps the question-and-answer goes like this:
Anda bekerja di mana?
“Where do you work?”
Saya bekerja di restoran tiongkok Wok & Pan.
“I work at the Wok & Pan Chinese restaurant.”
7. What Do You Like to Do? (Apa Yang Anda Suka Lakukan?)
Here’s when you can begin talking about your hobbies in Indonesian—probably quite different from your work!
Saya suka nonton sinetron.
“I like to watch sinetrons (Indonesian soap operas).”
Watching TV isn’t a bad hobby. Plenty of Indonesians these days are interested in art, and even social media stuff like vlogging:
Saya mau menjadi vlogger.
“I want to be a vlogger.”
Finally, Indonesia has a ton of nature to explore. Quite a few younger Indonesians join hiking clubs or simply go it on their own.
Saya sangat suka naik gunung.
“I really like hiking on mountains.”
By the way, you might think that it could be hard to find the necessary things for these hobbies in a developing country like Indonesia. But once you see the lines of camera shops and outdoor equipment shops on main streets, you’ll see why I chose these examples!
8. Do You have Siblings? (Apakah Anda Punya Saudara?)
This is a question that young people (in their twenties, usually) tend to get asked. It’s a way to show polite curiosity about someone’s life back in their home country, and to place you in their own social framework. Talking about your family in Indonesian is a wonderful way to keep the other party interested.
Indonesian, like many other Asian languages, has separate words for older and younger brothers and sisters.
Saya punya adik perempuan.
“I have a little sister.”
Here’s a quick table for reference:
Older
Younger
Brother
Kakak laki-laki
Adik laki-laki
Sister
Kakak perempuan
Adik perempuan
As you may have noticed, there’s a word for “sibling,” saudara. While people will certainly understand it, it’ll probably come across as a little evasive, because from the point of view of an Indonesian, why not be more specific?
If you offer more info about your sibling, they’ll enjoy it! Family is important in Indonesian culture, and chatting—even briefly—about your own is a nice way to keep the conversation moving forward.
Dia baru lulus dari SMA.
“He/she just graduated from high school.”
Saya mau dia datang ke Indonesia!
“I want him/her to come to Indonesia!”
9. Conclusion
So, reader, how do you feel about introducing yourself when studying Indonesian? More comfortable? Or are you still fuzzy on something? Let us know in the comments!
As you may have noticed, you can simply string together your own answers to these questions and come up with a fairly robust self-introduction. If you’re taking classes as a student abroad, this kind of mini-monologue is sure to appear at least once in your assignments!
And outside of self-led self-introductions, these questions really do get asked pretty frequently. It’s a wonderful feeling to be practiced enough that you can rattle off your answers with zero preparation.
Not only does it make you feel super fluent, but whoever you’re talking to is likely to be quite impressed at your level!
These phrases are just jumping-off points for your actual conversation. You’ll have to do the work of coming up with interesting things to say and questions to ask in return. But once you do, you’ll enjoy a wonderful chat in excellent Indonesian.
To help you reach this point, IndonesianPod101.com offers a variety of insightful blog posts, free vocabulary lists, podcasts, and even a MyTeacher program for Premium Plus members. If you found this article helpful, you’re sure to find even more by exploring our site.
Your hard work will pay off, and with enough practice and studying, you’ll be speaking Indonesian like a native before you know it!
Indonesians celebrate Ascension Day, one of the most significant Christian holidays, each year with an array of traditions. The most notable traditions may be those surrounding the Cathedral Church (Jakarta), though celebrations for this Indonesia holiday do go beyond this. In this article, we’ll be going over celebrations as well as Ascension Day meaning in Indonesia.
By learning about Indonesian culture, including the most significant Indonesian holidays, you’re opening yourself up to a greater comprehension of the country and its language. In turn, this will greatly improve your Indonesian language skills as you learn it in context of a greater, more vivid picture. And at IndonesianPod101.com, we hope to make this learning journey both fun and informative!
1. What is Ascension Day in Indonesia?
1- The Basics
Kenaikan Isa Almasih or Ascension Day is one of the important days of the Christian tradition that is celebrated forty days after Easter. According to the New Testament, on the 40th day after the resurrection, Jesus brought his disciples to the Mount of Olives to see Him go into heaven.
The Ascension Day of Isa Almasih is commonly mentioned as the Ascension Day of Jesus Christ by Christians. Isa Almasih is the title given to Jesus Christ in Al-Quran. Isa is “Jesus” in Arabic and Masih is “Messiah” in Arabic.
2- Is Ascension Thursday a Holy Day of Obligation?
So, is the Ascension a holy day of obligation? This is a common question regarding Ascension Thursday in Indonesia.
The answer is “yes.” This indicates that Indonesian Catholics are expected to go to the Mass service on this day at a Christ Cathedral (Jakarta or elsewhere).
2. When is Ascension Day?
The date of Ascension Day varies from year to year, as it is the fortieth day of Easter. For your convenience, here’s a list of this holiday’s date for the next ten years.
2019: May 30
2020: May 21
2021: May 13
2022: May 26
2023: May 18
2024: May 9
2025: May 29
2026: May 14
2027: May 6
2028: May 25
3. Reading Practice: Indonesian Ascension Day Traditions
How do Indonesians celebrate Ascension Day? Find out by reading the Indonesian text below, and find the English translation below it.
—
Tradisi yang lazim dilakukan oleh umat Kristen pada hari ini adalah ziarah makam. Sejak subuh, taman pemakaman umum sudah mulai dipenuhi orang yang ingin berziarah ke makam keluarga dan leluhur yang sudah meninggal dunia. Kesempatan ini dipakai untuk mendoakan arwah keluarga kepada Yesus dengan harapan agar mereka naik ke surga, sama seperti Kristus. Setelah berdoa, mereka melakukan prosesi tabur bunga di atas pusara.
Pada hari ini pun, umat Kristen menghadiri misa dan kebaktian di gereja. Kelompok-kelompok gereja, seperti kelompok pemuda dan anak-anak sekolah minggu, juga sering menggunakan hari libur ini untuk mengadakan kegiatan sosial yang diwarnai oleh semangat kenaikan Isa Almasih.
Libur nasional ini jatuh pada hari Kamis setiap tahunnya. Kesempatan ini digunakan oleh banyak orang yang tidak merayakan untuk berakhir pekan yang panjang dengan mengambil cuti di hari kejepit, yaitu hari Jumat, dan berjalan-jalan ke luar kota bersama keluarga.
—
The common tradition performed by the Christian on this day is visiting grave sites. From dawn, the public cemetery is crowded with people visiting the dead ancestors’ and family members’ graves. This opportunity is used to pray for the family members’ spirit to Jesus with the hope that they go to heaven, just like Christ. After praying, they continue with the procession of flower sowing on the grave.
On that day, Christians attend mass and service in church. The church groups, such as the youth group and the Sunday school students often use this holiday to hold social activities that are colored by the spirit of Ascension of Jesus Christ.
This public holiday is celebrated on Thursday each year. This opportunity is used by many people who don’t celebrate it to have a long weekend by taking leave on Friday, the day squeezed in between (or “sandwiched”), and having a trip out of town with the family.
4. Sunday School Activities for Ascension Day
What activities are often conducted by Sunday school students on the Ascension Day of Jesus Christ?
Usually Sunday school students attend a service in the classroom. In welcoming the Ascension of Jesus Christ, they conduct the service on the hilly land to appreciate the event of the ascension of Jesus into heaven. Another way to appreciate it is by releasing balloons into the air.
5. Useful Vocabulary for Indonesian Ascension Day
Here’s some vocabulary you should know for Ascension Day in Indonesia!
If you want to hear each of these vocabulary words pronounced, check out our Ascension Day in Indonesia vocabulary list. Here, you’ll find each word accompanied by an audio file of its pronunciation.
Conclusion
Do you celebrate Ascension in your own country? If so, are celebrations similar or different from those in Indonesia? Let us know in the comments!
To learn more about culture and holidays in Indonesia, visit us at IndonesianPod101.com. Here, we have something for every learner and every learner can master the language and culture of Indonesia with our array of learning tools! Through insightful blog posts like this one, free vocabulary lists, and an online community forum, we hope to make your Indonesian learning experience both fun and informative! Also check out the features of our MyTeacher program, and consider upgrading to a Premium Plus account to take advantage of this one-on-one learning opportunity.
Know that your hard work will pay off, and you’ll be speaking Indonesian like a native before you know it!
Indonesia is not a country that gets its fair share of cultural recognition.
It’s enormous, it’s diverse, and it’s breathtakingly gorgeous…but how many people outside its borders follow the lives of its celebrities or listen to its pop music? The Indonesian movies box office?
Not a whole lot, and they’re all the poorer for it.
Whether or not you’re a student of the Indonesian language looking for something to boost your listening comprehension, watching a couple of Indonesian movies is going to open the door to a whole new world of cinema.
Here’s a list of the best Indonesian films with something for everyone, so that you can find something good no matter what your favorite genre is. You’ll also find movies here from early 2000s to 2018.
Also keep in mind that you can look for Indonesian movies online (think Indonesian movies YouTube) or try searching for Indonesian movies on Netflix if none of these interest you (though I don’t really see that happening!). You may also be able to purchase Indonesian movies on Amazon. Here are the most common common Indonesian vocabulary that you may find in the movies.
Let’s start with one of the most recognizable Indonesian films to a local audience. Ada apa dengan… is a pretty common phrase meaning “What’s up with…” Here, Cinta is a play on words, because while it’s the name of the main character, it also simply means “love.”
Perhaps you can already tell that this is a love story, which makes up many Indonesian top movies. When it comes to Indonesian movies, romance is certainly a favorite.
Although named after the word “love,” Cinta and her girlfriends pledge to steer clear from high-school boy-girl romance, believing that they only need each other. When Cinta accidentally met Rangga, Cinta couldn’t shake her attraction to the knowledgeable and handsome Rangga, torn between the pledge she made with her best friends and the attraction inside her.
The film was an enormous success, launching the careers of the principal cast (several appear in other movies on this list). More than ten years later, they actually reprised their roles for a sequel, again to massively positive reception.
2. Merantau (2009)
Setiap anak lelaki akan berjalan cari pengalaman hidup.
“Every young boy will journey to face the trials of life.”
Indonesia doesn’t have the same reputation as China or Japan as a country known for its martial arts. Once you see one of the best Indonesian martial arts movies, though, that’s about to change for you.
A martial arts expert named Yuda journeys from his village to Jakarta to teach his style, known as silat. It’s not as easy to find work as he expected, but he’s not short on adventure. After intervening to stop a man from hitting a woman on the street, he finds himself thrown into the criminal underworld and on the run from human traffickers.
The action choreography is superb in this film, blasting it into the international spotlight. After it became such a hit, director Gareth Hew Evans started work on another film, using the same highly skilled actors…
The Raid is by far the best-known Indonesian film in the West. It’s known for being absolute, distilled, non-stop action, as it involves a team of highly trained police fighting their way through a decrepit slum building to catch a crime lord.
What the director and actors learned about action filmmaking from Merantau gets turned up to eleven here, with truly heart-pounding sequences of choreography from start to finish. It more than earned its spot on our list of Indonesian movies to watch!
And you’ll still manage to learn some Indonesian from it as well, because the crime boss loves to taunt his pursuers—perhaps even more than is prudent.
4. Dilan 1990 (2018 )
Nanti kita akan bertemu di kantin.
“We’ll meet at the school canteen later.”
Many Indonesian popular movies are romances. Nostalgia for the 1990s isn’t limited to the West. This much-awaited film is based on the best-selling novel Dilan: dia adalah Dilanku Tahun 1990 or “Dilan: He Was My Dilan, 1990.”
It’s a romance about the one boy at school who’s too cool to care—and yet he’s sure he’s going to end up with the girl. That kind of confidence makes him a total mystery. How are her friends going to react when she tells them?
People all over the world love stories about school romances and adventures. With a film like this, you can see what it’s like to grow up in a school system that’s likely quite different from your own, and yet with enough of the same things for you to be able to connect with the characters.
Here are some tips to improve your pronunciation while watching movies in Indonesian.
5. Hujan Bulan Juni (2017)
Aku ingin mencintaimu dengan sederhana.
“I want to love you simply.”
Is there anything more romantic than a poem-based love story?
Sapardi Djoko Damono’s well-known poem was turned into a feature film of the same name, a title which means “Rain in June.”
In the film, a literature professor named Pingkan gets the opportunity to travel to Japan for an extended study period. Her longtime significant other, Sarwono, feels left behind by this, and asks to accompany her to her hometown when she gives a lecture. Since he’s not from there, Pingkan’s father starts showering her with questions about their relationship.
The film is gorgeously shot in Manado, Solo, and Japan, and as part of the story there are nine readings of Sapardi’s poems. It’s an amazing story about love and family—and with so much culture packed into two hours, how could you miss it?
6. Negeri Dongeng (2017)
Senang, sedih, sebel, capek…uff!
“Happy, sad, upset, exhausted…phew!”
Indonesia is known as a country of islands, and, occasionally, volcanoes. Many foreigners living there for years would be hard-pressed to name more than a handful of mountains.
So this docudrama ends up being educational and inspiring at the same time! It’s about a tight-knit group of friends who take on the pretty extreme challenge of climbing Indonesia’s tallest mountains. Seven friends, seven cameras, seven mountains.
These aren’t Everest-style escapades of ice and snow, but rather grueling hikes through thick jungle in stifling heat that soon gives way to thin air and gusts of wind that threaten to blow the tents off the mountainside.
All of the footage is absolutely sublime, and it exposes you to jaw-dropping views of parts of Indonesia that rarely get attention, like Papua and Sulawesi.
7. Kartini (2017)
Adikku akan menjadi Raden Ayu.
“My child will become royalty.”
It’s the late 19th century, and Indonesia is very different from today. The Dutch East India Company maintains political control, while the local Javanese regents run things in Central Java. Perhaps you can imagine that this is not a world where women have a whole lot of autonomy. Our heroine Kartini wants to change that.
This is the true story of Indonesia’s most famous woman emancipator, who worked so hard for her cause that she’s still memorialized every year with a national holiday: Hari Kartini or “Kartini Day.”
Language learners may be interested in the film as it authentically introduces quite a lot of Javanese phrases, seeing as the Indonesian language wasn’t standardized until the 1940s. Fortunately, there are subtitles for those sections.
8. Hantu Pohon Boneka (2014)
Aku merasa boneka ini aneh…
“I’ve got a strange feeling about this doll…”
The name of this film translates to “Ghost of the Doll Trees” and if that’s not spooky I don’t know what is.
A troubled family moves far away to try and reconcile after the death of their father figure. But their presence angers a pair of ghosts, who “befriend” the youngest daughter. What can the family do but unite and try to fight back?
Indonesians love a good horror film. Hantu Pohon Boneka was very well-received, but it’s only one of dozens that come out every year.
9. Kafir: Bersekutu dengan Setan (2018 )
Apakah dia…orangnya?
“Is he…the one?”
Here’s another, seeing as Indonesian horror movies are so well-received.
The subtitle, which translates as “Allying with Satan,” should give you a bit of a hint about what this film has in store.
When the head of a family dies under strange circumstances, it’s only natural that the mother would be distraught. But “distraught” doesn’t cover her strange behavior. Eventually, it’s up to her daughter to discover what’s going on, and to fight back against forces far beyond her control.
Don’t confuse this film, which enthralled audiences upon release, with another horror film by the same name released in 2002. That one got only middling reviews—better save your time for the movies that count.
10. Comic 8 (2014)
Kita serius merampok bank. Ikut nggak?
“We’re gonna rob a bank. You in?”
Everybody knows the general idea behind a heist. You get the team together, everybody’s got their own specialty, and then you crack the joint wide open.
Only, what if you never got the team together in the first place? What if everybody just had the same idea to rob the same bank at the same time? That’s Comic 8.
Everyone’s got their own reason for this heist, and once it all starts coming together, everyone is more invested than they thought they would be. The whole thing is played for laughs, naturally, and if you’ve got any previous exposure to Indonesian media, you may recognize certain celebrities playing larger-than-life versions of themselves.
The film was such a hit that a two-part spiritual sequel was immediately fast-tracked into production, called Comic 8: Casino Kings. Check those out as well if the fun wasn’t enough in the first film!
11. Conclusion
Which of these top Indonesian films do you plan on seeing, and why? Did we miss any good ones, and are there any Indonesian movies (2019) you’ve seen? Let us know!
What’s the best way to use these Indonesian films to boost your skills in Indonesian? Honestly, the simplest way is just to watch them. Put in that time to just get exposed to the language, and you’ll pick up quite a bit naturally.
If you’re interested in putting in a little bit more work to get results faster, it’s a good idea to watch a film (or maybe just an important scene) three times—once with no subtitles, watch the Indonesian movies with English subtitles the second time, and then a third time with no subtitles again, where you’re really paying attention to every word.
If you happen to have a way to get some actual DVDs from Indonesia, they’ll usually have Indonesian captions so that you can follow along and read as you watch. That’s my preferred way to watch foreign-language movies, and it trains your reading and listening skills simultaneously.
And then beyond the language benefit, you get great exposure to pop culture that can’t be studied. Amaze your friends and colleagues by quoting a film or comparing them to one of the characters—and they might be so impressed that they invite you to their next movie night!
That said, all of your practice and hard work will pay off! And IndonesianPod101.com is here to help you achieve greatness in your Indonesian language skills. Visit our array of insightful blog posts, free vocabulary lists, podcasts, and MyTeacher program (for Premium Plus members who want a one-on-one learning experience). Our tools + your determination = Indonesian mastery.
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Living and working in Indonesia—could it be a dream come true?
You’ve got an incredible blend of vibrant cultures all around you. You’ve got the world’s best beaches, towering volcanoes, and pristine forests. You’ve got an attractive expat salary package in a country with a very low cost of living.
You’ve got it made.
You just have to get there.
Unfortunately, Indonesia is one of the hardest Asian countries to find a job in, even with an Indonesia visa. The government’s strategy to reduce unemployment is to place heavy restrictions on expat workers, and that severely limits the opportunities available in every sector.
In this article, we’ll walk you through just what these restrictions are and what you can do to maximize your chances of jumping through all those hoops—and making that dream a reality. Without further ado, our guide on how to find jobs in Indonesia. Start with a bonus, and download the Business Words & Phrases PDF for FREE!(Logged-In Member Only)
First, here’s some background info about the job market in Indonesia to help set the stage.
Indonesia is, as you likely know, a developing country. Much of the population lives in relatively rural areas, and even the big cities have enormous sprawling areas of lower-income districts. Unemployment is relatively high, and gainful employment is tough to attain for ordinary locals.
One of the solutions, from the government’s perspective, is to limit the number of foreigners occupying positions that Indonesians could otherwise hold. Foreign nationals employed in Indonesia are required to be experts in their field; that is, holders of a university degree and with five years’ experience or a title showing their high place on the corporate ladder.
On top of that, businesses are taxed US$100 per month per foreigner hired, which is an astonishing sum in many cities. Most businesses that would otherwise gladly hire foreigners don’t clear this hurdle. That money, by the way, goes straight to the Manpower Department, where it’s invested in job training so locals can learn how to do your job.
And to make things more complicated, the visa approval process is designed to last months, further cutting down the pool of foreigners to only those who are both patient and well-off enough to survive this trial. Oh, and all of that vocabulary is all in Indonesian, of course.
With that in mind, where can you turn?
For many, the classroom.
2. How to Find Teaching Jobs
Teaching English in Indonesia is big, and other languages such as Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Mandarin, and Arabic aren’t terribly far behind. Even Dutch is more popular here than in many other countries because of the colonial ties with The Netherlands.
It’s possible for native speakers of any of these languages to find a job teaching in any large city. One potential contact is your country’s consulate or embassy, as they often run language classes and cultural events.
The good news is that native speaker teachers with certificates automatically qualify as foreign experts—you don’t need to be an award-winning educator or anything like that.
Outside of English teacher jobs in Indonesia, your best bet is to contact university language departments. Even smaller universities will have departments of European and Asian languages, and they may be looking for full- or part-time lecturers.
There are also several international schools in larger cities that provide education for all subjects in English. So a native speaker who can teach math or biology is also likely to have a fighting chance.
But one thing you’ll have to decide pretty early on in your job search in Indonesia is how by-the-book you want to do things. It’s not particularly complicated to get an extendable tourist visa, though it does require renewal every month for four months.
These visas aren’t valid for employment, but that won’t stop many schools from hiring you. That means you do have the opportunity to teach part-time and be paid under-the-table for your work.
However, that comes with the real risk of fines, deportation, and even jail time if you’re caught. Some people get away with this for years, and others are busted and face serious consequences.
Finding a job for foreigners in Indonesia that will sponsor a work visa is significantly more difficult, and frankly, nearly impossible in smaller cities if you don’t have a local contact. Networking is absolutely key to your success as you go job hunting in Indonesia.
You’ll need to frequently scour ESL job boards, look at other job postings in Indonesia, and perhaps even contact a recruiter to help you get placed. And to set yourself apart, it’s necessary to have professional certification from an accredited training program; those 40-hour short courses won’t cut it. Other teaching experience in Asia is definitely a plus.
Two of the best job boards with Indonesian sections are Go Overseas and Teach Away. You’ll notice that the Indonesian sections aren’t very big compared to, say, Thailand or China.
Keep your eye on these boards and make a point of applying to all the jobs that you’re even slightly interested in.
Send follow-up emails and thank your interviewers for their time. Do all the “good interviewee” things, in short, because these opportunities are slim.
3. How to Find Other Jobs When Living in Indonesia
So teaching isn’t for you. Not a problem!
If your end goal is simply working in Indonesia, the easiest way by far is to get a position with a firm based in your country that does business in Indonesia.
It will probably take some time before you’re actually placed there, but it’s a lifesaver to have other people in charge of arranging the actual work placement. The benefit of having a familiar culture to relate to can’t be overstated either—it’s easy to feel isolated in another country, even one as friendly and open as Indonesia is known to be.
Without that kind of stepping stone, it’s going to be harder to find work in Indonesia for a few reasons:
First, Indonesia isn’t the type of society where people can easily post and access information like job openings. That’s done in a much more word-of-mouth way than you’d expect. Essentially, job sites in Indonesia may not be the easiest place to look for work.
On the flip side, though, once people know you’re qualified and looking for a job, they may pass on your resume to interested parties.
Another difficulty is simply that the expected salary difference for locals and expats is usually pretty high. And even putting aside the salary question, you’re going to have to be trained in the local way of doing things, translating to an extra burden that doesn’t exist with a local.
All that means is that you need to stand out.
Whatever niche you have, work like crazy to make your experience shine. If you have enough time to prepare, getting additional accreditation or certificates bumps you ahead of the other candidates. Those will be perfect for when you need to prove your expertise to the visa office.
The number-one most helpful thing in getting a job in Indonesia is connections. Is there anyone at all you know who can vouch for you or put your name in somewhere? A glowing personal reference (or two or three) goes extremely far.
Naturally, there are a number of job websites devoted specifically to Indonesia. Karir and JobStreet are two of the largest and best-known.
On both of them, you can search for jobs looking for foreign talent, as well as jobs only in English. Just skim through the job postings in Indonesia to find what you’re looking for. But that language question can be pretty thorny…
4. Do You Need to Speak the Language?
This is a big consideration whenever you’re thinking about moving abroad: What impact will my language skills have on my life there?
It’s no secret that a lot of Westerners living in Asian countries never end up picking up much of the local language. It’s easy to surround yourself in an English bubble anywhere. It takes a certain mindset shift to accept the bumpiness of actually using a language while you’re still a learner. Even simple stuff like just talking about your job in Indonesian can be a surprising hurdle.
As always, the answer is going to be different depending on where you end up. The more developed the city, and the younger the people you’re working with, the better the chance is that you can accomplish everything you need in English.
Outside your work, it’s relatively rare to have truly fluent English speakers in customer service roles that aren’t directly associated with the tourist industry. A Starbucks next to a hotel? English is a good bet. A mini-mart near a university? Try your luck and see what happens. A shack selling fried squid on the side of the road? Better stick to body language.
Conclusion: How IndonesianPod101 Can Help You Master Indonesian
My point earlier about needing a standout quality as a foreigner is a perfect reason for you to invest some serious time into learning Indonesian. The more you can show that you’re committed to treating your new country with respect, the more you’ll be accepted as a potential candidate. And besides, nailing an Indonesian job interview is an amazing feeling.
You’ll also need to take a look at your current qualifications and experience in your field. How much do you excel? Why should a company hire you and train you all about Indonesian work culture, when they can hire a local for much less?
Whether or not you’re thinking of a job in the ESL industry, having some real qualifications (such as professional certificates) will go a long way. Even better if you can show that you’ve got experience working somewhere in Southeast Asia, or that you have experience adapting to unfamiliar cultures.
With all that in mind, and with a strong attitude of perseverance, you’ll have that job in Indonesia before you know it.
Do you plan on working in Indonesia soon, or know someone who does? What’s the most valuable thing you learned from this article? Let us know in the comments!
Author: Yassir Sahnoun is a HubSpot certified content strategist, copywriter and polyglot who works with language learning companies. He helps companies attract sales using content strategy, copywriting, blogging, email marketing & more.
Do you often feel lonely and sad? Do you long for romance and are willing to do whatever it takes to meet that special person? Speaking another language could revolutionize your love life! So, why wait? Learning how to say ‘love’ in Indonesian could be just what you need to find it.
Or perhaps you were lucky, and have found your Indonesian partner already. Fantastic! Yet, a cross-cultural relationship comes with unique challenges. Learning how to speak your lover’s language will greatly improve your communication and enhance the relationship. At IndonesianPod101, our team will teach you all the words, quotes and phrases you need to woo your Indonesian lover with excellence! Our tutors provide personal assistance, with plenty of extra material available to make Indonesian dating easy for you.
Start with a bonus, and download the ‘How To be a Good Lover Cheat Sheet’ for FREE! (Logged-In Member Only)
1. Common Phrases You’ll Need for a Date
So, you have met your Indonesian love interest. Congratulations! Who knows where this could take you…?! However, the two of you have just met and you’re not ready to say the Indonesian word for love just yet. Great, it is better to get to know him/her first. Wow your prospective love by using these Indonesian date phrases to set up a spectacular first date.
Would you like to go out to dinner with me?
Apakah kamu mau pergi makan malam dengan saya?
The important question! In most cultures, this phrase indicates: ‘I’m romantically interested in you’. Flirting in Indonesian is no different, so don’t take your date to Mcdonald’s!
Are you free this weekend?
Apakah kamu ada acara akhir pekan ini?
This is a preamble to asking your love interest on a date. If you get an immediate ‘Yes’, that’s good news!
Would you like to hang out with me?
Apakah kamu mau bergaul dengan saya?
You like her/him, but you’re not sure if there’s chemistry. Ask them to hang out first to see if a dinner date is next.
What time shall we meet tomorrow?
Jam berapa kita harus bertemu besok?
Set a time, and be sure to arrive early! Nothing spoils a potential relationship more than a tardy date.
Where shall we meet?
Di mana kita harus bertemu?
You can ask this, but also suggest a place.
You look great.
Kamu kelihatan keren.
A wonderful ice breaker! This phrase will help them relax a bit – they probably took great care to look their best just for you.
You are so cute.
Kamu sangat lucu.
If the two of you are getting on really well, this is a fun, flirtatious phrase to use.
What do you think of this place?
Apa pendapat kamu tentang tempat ini?
This another good conversation starter. Show off your Indonesian language skills!
Can I see you again?
Bolehkah saya bertemu dengamu lagi?
So the date went really well – don’t waste time! Make sure you will see each other again.
Shall we go somewhere else?
Haruskah kita pergi ke tempat yang lain?
If the place you meet at is not great, you can suggest going elsewhere. It is also a good question to follow the previous one. Variety is the spice of life!
I know a good place.
Aku tahu tempat yang bagus.
Use this with the previous question. However, don’t say if you don’t know a good place!
I will drive you home.
Aku akan mengantarmu pulang.
If your date doesn’t have transport, this is a polite, considerate offer. However, don’t be offended if she/he turns you down on the first date. Especially a woman might not feel comfortable letting you drive her home when the two of you are still basically strangers.
That was a great evening.
Malam yang sangat menyenangkan.
This is a good phrase to end the evening with.
When can I see you again?
Kapan aku bisa bertemu denganmu lagi?
If he/she replied ‘Yes’ to ‘Can I see you again?’, this is the next important question.
I’ll call you.
Aku akan meneleponmu.
Say this only if you really mean to do it. In many cultures, this could imply that you’re keeping the proverbial backdoor open.
You learned all the Indonesian phrases to make a date – congratulations! Now you have to decide where to meet, which can be tricky. Discuss these options with your lover to gauge whether you like the same things. Check out romantic date ideas in Indonesian below!
museum
museum
If you’re looking for unique date ideas that are fun but won’t break the bank, museums are the perfect spot! You won’t be running out of things to say in the conversations.
candlelit dinner
makan malam candle lit
A candlelit dinner is perhaps best to reserve for when the relationship is getting serious. It’s very intimate, and says: “Romance!” It’s a fantastic choice if you’re sure you and your date are in love with each other!
go to the zoo
pergi ke kebun binatang
This is a good choice for shy lovers who want to get the conversation going. Just make sure your date likes zoos, as some people dislike them. Maybe not for the first date, but this is also a great choice if your lover has children – you’ll win his/her adoration for inviting them along!
go for a long walk
pergi untuk berjalan-jalan
Need to talk about serious stuff, or just want to relax with your date? Walking together is soothing, and a habit you can keep up together always! Just make sure it’s a beautiful walk that’s not too strenuous.
go to the opera
pergi ke opera
This type of date should only be attempted if both of you love the opera. It can be a special treat, followed by a candlelit dinner!
go to the aquarium
pergi ke akuarium
Going to the aquarium is another good idea if you need topics for conversation, or if you need to impress your lover’s kids! Make sure your date doesn’t have a problem with aquariums.
walk on the beach
berjalan di pantai
This can be a very romantic stroll, especially at night! The sea is often associated with romance and beauty.
have a picnic
berpiknik
If you and your date need to get more comfortable together, this can be a fantastic date. Spending time in nature is soothing and calms the nerves.
cook a meal together
memasak makanan bersama-sama
If you want to get an idea of your date’s true character in one go, this is an excellent date! You will quickly see if the two of you can work together in a confined space. If it works, it will be fantastic for the relationship and create a sense of intimacy. If not, you will probably part ways!
have dinner and see a movie
makan malam dan nonton bioskop
This is traditional date choice works perfectly well. Just make sure you and your date like the same kind of movies!
3. Must-know Valentine’s Day Vocabulary
Expressing your feelings honestly is very important in any relationship all year round. Yet, on Valentine’s Day you really want to shine. Impress your lover this Valentine’s with your excellent vocabulary, and make his/her day! We teach you, in fun, effective ways, the meanings of the words and how to pronounce them. You can also copy the characters and learn how to write ‘I love you’ in Indonesian – think how impressed your date will be!
4. Indonesian Love Phrases for Valentine’s Day
So, you now have the basic Valentine’s Day vocabulary under your belt. Well done! But, do you know how to say ‘I love you’ in Indonesian yet? Or perhaps you are still only friends. So, do you know how to say ‘I like you’ or ‘I have a crush on you’ in Indonesian? No? Don’t worry, here are all the love phrases you need to bowl over your Indonesian love on this special day!
I love you.
Aku cinta kamu.
Saying ‘I love you’ in Indonesian carries the same weight as in all languages. Use this only if you’re sure and sincere about your feelings for your partner/friend.
You mean so much to me.
Kamu sangat berarti bagi saya.
This is a beautiful expression of gratitude that will enhance any relationship! It makes the receiver feel appreciated and their efforts recognized.
You’re so beautiful.
Kamu sangat cantik.
If you don’t know how to say ‘You’re pretty’ in Indonesian, this is a good substitute, gentlemen!
I think of you as more than a friend.
Saya menganggap kamu lebih dari sekedar teman.
Say this if you are not yet sure that your romantic feelings are reciprocated. It is also a safe go-to if you’re unsure about the Indonesian dating culture.
A hundred hearts would be too few to carry all my love for you.
Seratus hati akan terlalu sedikit untuk memuat semua cinta saya untuk kamu.
You romantic you…! When your heart overflows with love, this would be the best phrase to use.
Love is just love. It can never be explained.
Cinta adalah cinta. Hal itu tidak pernah bisa dijelaskan.
If you fell in love unexpectedly or inexplicably, this one’s for you.
You’re so handsome.
Kamu sangat tampan.
Ladies, this phrase lets your Indonesian love know how much you appreciate his looks! Don’t be shy to use it; men like compliments too.
I’ve got a crush on you.
Aku naksir dengan kamu.
If you like someone, but you’re unsure about starting a relationship, it would be prudent to say this. It simply means that you like someone very, very much and think they’re amazing.
You make me want to be a better man.
Kamu membuat saya ingin menjadi pria yang lebih baik.
Gentlemen, don’t claim this phrase as your own! It hails from the movie ‘As Good as it Gets’, but it is sure to make your Indonesian girlfriend feel very special. Let her know that she inspires you!
Let all that you do be done in love.
Biarkan semua yang kamu lakukan, dilakukan dalam cinta kasih.
We hope.
You are my sunshine, my love.
Kamu adalah sinar matahari saya, sayang.
A compliment that lets your lover know they bring a special quality to your life. Really nice!
Words can’t describe my love for you.
Kata-kata tidak dapat menjelaskan cintaku padamu.
Better say this when you’re feeling serious about the relationship! It means that your feelings are very intense.
We were meant to be together.
Kita ditakdirkan untuk bersama.
This is a loving affirmation that shows you see a future together, and that you feel a special bond with your partner.
If you were thinking about someone while reading this, you’re definitely in love.
Bila kamu berpikir tentang seseorang saat membaca ini, kamu pasti sedang jatuh cinta.
Here’s something fun to tease your lover with. And hope he/she was thinking of you!
Will you be my Valentine?
Apakah Anda mau melewatkan hari Valentine bersama saya?
With these words, you are taking your relationship to the next level! Or, if you have been a couple for a while, it shows that you still feel the romance. So, go for it!
5. Indonesian Quotes about Love
You’re a love champ! You and your Indonesian lover are getting along fantastically, your dates are awesome, your Valentine’s Day together was spectacular, and you’re very much in love. Good for you! Here are some beautiful phrases of endearment in Indonesian that will remind him/her who is in your thoughts all the time.
6. Marriage Proposal Lines
Wow. Your Indonesian lover is indeed the love of your life – congratulations! And may only happiness follow the two of you! In most traditions, the man asks the woman to marry; this is also the Indonesian custom. Here are a few sincere and romantic lines that will help you to ask your lady-love for her hand in marriage.
7. 15 Most Common Break-Up Lines
Instead of moving towards marriage or a long-term relationship, you find that the spark is not there for you. That is a pity! But even though breaking up is never easy, continuing a bad or unfulfilling relationship would be even harder. Remember to be kind to the person you are going to say goodbye to; respect and sensitivity cost nothing. Here are some phrases to help you break up gently.
We need to talk.
Kita perlu berbicara.
This is not really a break-up line, but it is a good conversation opener with a serious tone.
I’m just not ready for this kind of relationship.
Saya hanya belum siap untuk hubungan semacam ini.
Things moved a bit fast and got too intense, too soon? Painful as it is, honesty is often the best way to break up with somebody.
Let’s just be friends.
Mari kita berteman saja.
If the relationship was very intense, and you have sent many ‘i love u’ texts in Indonesian, this would not be a good breakup line. Feelings need to calm down before you can be friends, if ever. If the relationship has not really developed yet, a friendship would be possible.
I think we need a break.
Saya rasa kita perlu istirahat.
This is again honest, and to the point. No need to play with someone’s emotions by not letting them know how you feel. However, this could imply that you may fall in love with him/her again after a period of time, so use with discretion.
You deserve better.
Kamu layak mendapatkan yang lebih baik.
Yes, he/she probably deserves a better relationship if your own feelings have cooled down.
I need my space.
Saya butuh ruangan.
When a person is too clingy or demanding, this would be an suitable break-up phrase. It is another good go-to for that lover who doesn’t get the message!
I think we’re moving too fast.
Saya rasa kita terlalu terburu-buru.
Say this if you want to keep the relationship, but need to slow down its progress a bit. It is also good if you feel things are getting too intense for your liking. However, it is not really a break-up line, so be careful not to mislead.
I need to focus on my career.
Saya butuh fokus dengan karier saya.
If you feel that you will not be able to give 100% in a relationship due to career demands, this is the phrase to use. It’s also good if you are unwilling to give up your career for a relationship.
I’m not good enough for you.
Saya tidak cukup baik untuk kamu.
Say this only if you really believe it, or you’ll end up sounding false. Break-ups are usually hard for the receiving party, so don’t insult him/her with an insincere comment.
I just don’t love you anymore.
Saya tidak mencintaimu lagi.
This harsh line is sometimes the best one to use if you are struggling to get through to a stubborn, clingy lover who won’t accept your break up. Use it as a last resort. Then switch your phone off and block their emails!
We’re just not right for each other.
Kita hanya saling tidak cocok.
If this is how you truly feel, you need to say it. Be kind, gentle and polite.
It’s for the best.
Ini untuk yang terbaik.
This phrase is called for if circumstances are difficult and the relationship is not progressing well. Love should enhance one’s life, not burden it!
We’ve grown apart.
Kita semakin berpisah.
Cross-cultural relationships are often long-distance ones, and it is easy to grow apart over time.
We should start seeing other people.
Kita harus mulai mencari orang lain.
This is probably the least gentle break-up phrase, so reserve it for a lover that doesn’t get the message!
It’s not you. It’s me.
Bukan karena kamu. Tetapi saya.
As long as you mean it, this can be a kind thing to say. It means that there’s nothing wrong with your Indonesian lover as a person, but that you need something different from a relationship.
8. Will Falling in Love help you Learn Indonesian faster?
Most people will agree that the above statement is a no-brainer – of course it will! Your body will be flooded with feel-good hormones, which are superb motivators for anything. IndonesianPod101 is one of the best portals to help help make this a reality, so don’t hesitate to enroll now! Let’s quickly look at the reasons why falling in love will speed up your learning of the Indonesian language.
Three Reasons Why Having a Lover will Help you Learn Indonesian Faster!
1- Being in a love relationship with your Indonesian speaking partner will immerse you in the culture
IndonesianPod101 uses immersive methods and tools to teach you Indonesian, but having a relationship with a native speaker will be a very valuable addition to your learning experience! You will gain exposure to their world, realtime and vividly, which will make the language come alive even more for you. The experience is likely to expand your world-view, which should motivate you to learn Indonesian even faster.
2- Having your Indonesian romantic partner will mean more opportunity to practice speaking
Nothing beats continuous practice when learning a new language. Your partner will probably be very willing to assist you in this, as your enhanced Indonesian language skills will enhance the relationship. Communication is, after all, one of the most important pillars of a good partnership. Also, you will get to impress your lover with the knowledge gained through your studies – a win/win situation!
3- A supportive Indonesian lover is likely to make a gentle, patient teacher and study aid!
With his/her heart filled with love and goodwill for you, your Indonesian partner is likely to patiently and gently correct your mistakes when you speak. This goes not only for grammar, but also for accent and meaning. With his/her help, you could sound like a native in no time!
Three Reasons Why IndonesianPod101 helps you learn Indonesian Even Faster when you’re In Love
Start with a bonus, and download the ‘How To be a Good Lover Cheat Sheet’ for FREE! (Logged-In Member Only)
1- All the Resources and Materials Will Help Both of You
Falling in love with a man or woman speaking Indonesian is an opportunity for both of you to learn a new language! For this reason, every lesson, transcript, vocabulary list, and resource at IndonesianPod101 is translated into both English and Indonesian. So, while your partner can help you learn Indonesian faster, you can potentially also help him/her learn and master English!
2- Lessons Are Designed to Help You Understand and Engage with Indonesian Culture
At IndonesianPod101, our focus is to help our students learn practical vocabulary and phrases used by everyday people in Indonesia. This means that, from your very first lesson, you can apply what you learn immediately! So, when your Indonesian partner wants to go out to a restaurant, play Pokemon Go, or attend just about any social function, you have the vocabulary and phrases necessary to have a great time!
3- Access to Special Resources Dedicated to Romantic Indonesian Phrases
You now have access to IndonesianPod101’s specially-developed sections and tools to teach you love words, phrases, and cultural insights to help you find and attract your Indonesian soul mate. A personal tutor will assist you to master these brilliantly – remember to invite him/her to your wedding!
So, you’re heading for Indonesia to travel or work. Awesome! You’re in for an amazing adventure! It’s a beautiful country, steeped in a rich culture that may be very unlike your own.
However, showing respect to the locals is a big deal in every country around the world. A respectful manner and attitude could open doors for you that would otherwise remain mystifyingly closed. Aside from just knowing ‘Thank you’ in Indonesian, greeting someone correctly in Indonesian could incline a local to treat you more favorably than otherwise! So, the clever thing to do would be to learn Indonesian greetings before you embark on your journey. Indonesian greetings are different from other languages and probably not what you’d expect. But if learning how to say ‘Hello!’ in Indonesian in easy and fun ways is important to you, you’ve come to the right place at IndonesianPod101.
1. Must-Know Indonesian Greetings
Start straight away with this greeting lesson. It’s short, but it packs a punch!
This short, but powerful lesson teaches you the basic ways to greet someone correctly in Indonesian! At IndonesianPod101, you will be taught the correct pronunciation and intonation, as well as the correct times to greet in Indonesian. And you will have fun!
The focus of this lesson is greetings in Indonesian
Topic 1: How to Say “Hello”
Sentence from the lesson:
‘Halo’
“Hello (Informal)”
Halo means “Hi,” or “Hello.” We use it when we meet. It’s very casual, so we should only use this greeting with friends or relatives. If you have to greet someone in a formal situation, say: selamat siang! Literally, selamat siang means “good day”; As a rule of thumb we can use selamat siang only during the daytime—from 11 a.m. until about 3 p.m.
During the afternoon we say: selamat sore! Sore is Indonesian for “Afternoon,” so selamat sore means “good afternoon.” This is used from about 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. During the night we say: selamat malam. Malam is Indonesian for “night.” This is used from 6 p.m. to midnight. And finally, during the morning we say: selamat pagi. Pagi is Indonesian for “morning. This is used in the morning until 11 a.m. Those four greetings are used when we meet someone, but when we leave, we don’t say them again.
For Example:
Selamat siang!
“Hello (formal)”
Topic 2: How to Say “good-bye”
Sentence from the lesson:
Sampai jumpa
“Goodbye (informal, formal)”
Sampai jumpa is an expression meaning “See you” that can be considered both formal and informal. Selamat tinggal means “Good-bye,” and it is a formal expression.
Language Tip!
In formal situations, Indonesian people commonly greet each other by shaking hands and bowing the head slightly. However, if we meet someone we are very friendly with, we can just wave!
2. Common Ways to Say Hello in Indonesian
Standing at the airport in a foreign country for the first time can be a somewhat scary experience for anyone, especially if you need assistance. However, don’t worry – at IndonesianPod101 we teach you how to quickly get a local’s attention with friendly, correct Indonesian greetings! You are more likely to get helped this way.
Here is our Indonesian greetings list of all the general ways to address a person upon meeting. It is tailored for formal and informal situations.
1- Good morning.
Selamat pagi.
‘Good morning’ in Indonesian is acceptable any time between approximately 5:30am and 12:00pm, when the day is still young. And smile – it’s the universal ice-breaker!
2- Good evening
Selamat malam.
This greeting is one you would use casually when night begins to fall. Address your friends, close family or close acquaintances, and those who are not your superiors, with this phrase.
3- How are you?
Apa kabar?
Show your friendly interest in another person’s well-being by asking this question. This is the casual greeting form that you would use with your friends and family. For the sake of the friendship, it would be good to listen carefully to the answer! It shows caring and selflessness on your part.
4- How have you been?
Bagaimana keadaanmu?
This is a good question to ask someone you have not seen for a while. The inference is that some catching-up is needed!
5- What’s up?
Ada apa?
An universally informal and energetic way to greet your friends or equals! Literally, it means ‘What’s going on in your life?’, yet often no answer is expected. It’s just a greeting! Crazy, right?!
6- Long time no see.
Sudah lama tidak bertemu.
This phrase means is another greeting comment that means “I have not seen you for a while!” Often, no response is expected, except to reciprocate.
7- Hey!
Hei
This is a friendly exclamation to greet your friends or equals with. Reserve its use more for people you see regularly!
8- Good afternoon.
Selamat sore.
‘Good afternoon’ in Indonesian is an informal greeting and is used during the second part of the day. The appropriate period falls, in most cultures, from 12:00am till sunset.
9- How’s it going?
Apa kabar?
This greeting phrase basically means the same as ‘How are things progressing?’, ‘How are things going in your life?’ or even ‘What’s up?’ Depending on the friendship, a lengthy answer is not always expected.
10- It’s nice to see you again.
Senang bisa bertemu dengan Anda lagi.
This friendly, welcoming phrase is best used after greeting someone you have not seen for a while. If you mean it, you will make the person feel special! This is a good thing to say to make someone feel welcome in Indonesian.
11- How’s everything?
Bagaimana kabarnya?
This is a variation of ‘How’s it going?’ Use casually with your equals or close acquaintances.
12- How’s your day?
Bagaimana kabar kamu hari ini?
Ask this when you’re speaking to your Indonesian friend during the day. It’s a friendly phrase to start a conversation with.
13- Yo!
Eh!
Yo! is English slang and a universal greeting popular among young men of most nationalities. Rather don’t answer the phone with this, unless you know your caller well!
14- Hello!
Halo!
Suitable for use in most settings, situations and persons, this is an important Indonesian greeting to know. Be sure to master this word first at IndonesianPod101!
15- It’s nice to meet you.
Senang bertemu denganmu
When meeting someone for the first time, this is a polite and friendly way to welcome them. It means you are happy to make their acquaintance.
3. Why Should You Choose IndonesianPod101 To Learn How To Greet In Indonesian?
Online learning systems abound, and it’s not easy to know which one will suit your needs best. This means you have to be careful and select a system with a good reputation, and that has proven longevity. IndonesianPod101, which is part of InnovativeLearning.com, ticks all the boxes! With millions of lesson downloads and over a decade of teaching, we can say with confidence that this is one of the best language learning systems on the web. Why is it such an excellent system? Let us count the ways…
1- Video Presentations with Native Speakers
Friendly native Indonesian speakers guide you step-by-step through the process of learning vocabulary, phrases and much more. They demonstrate correct pronunciation and emphasis of the words, so as to ensure that you speak like a native when you’re done! Watching the enthusiastic tutors makes not only for a pleasant and more personal experience – it also allows you to copy mouth and lip movements. It’s like learning from your own Indonesian friend in your own home!
2- Superb Flexibility with 24/7 Access to Learning Material – Anywhere and on Any Device connected to the Internet!
PC, Android, iPhone, iPad, laptop, even TV – whatever device you prefer! Go online with our FREE app to do your lessons, no matter where you are or which device you are using. All you need is a good internet connection to log on and learn to speak Indonesian at your own pace, in your own place!
3- Pronunciation Tool Ensures You Really Speak Indonesian!
In any language, correct pronunciation is often crucial. The nuances in language require this, or you could find yourself saying things you don’t mean. You will find our Pronunciation Tool invaluable to wrap your mouth around the correct way to greet in Indonesian!
4- Our Content is Always New and Dynamic
Every week, new audio and video lessons are uploaded, so as to keep our promise that learning Indonesian with IndonesianPod101 is always fun and exciting! In addition, you will get access to bonus material and basic Indonesian phrases. These are a fantastic way to build your comprehension and speaking skills!
5- Need to Fast Track your Learning? We Have the Solution!
Most learning activities are more fun when you’re not doing them alone. For this reason we developed Premium PLUS, which gives you a personal tutor – 24/7! Also, this way you’re likely to learn to speak Indonesian much faster!
So, if our lively Indonesian blog is not enough for you, just upgrade to Premium PLUS to get your very own teacher. Personalised goals and lessons based on your needs, assessment of your progress, non-stop feedback and many other super features makes this a very attractive option.
Say ‘Hello’ to a wonderful, exciting way to learn another language, and learn how to say ‘Hello’ in Indonesian in no time! You will be very happy you did!
Most everyone is familiar with this day, as it is celebrated nearly everywhere the world. Yet, when exactly is April Fools’ Day? And where did April Fools come from? April Fools’ Day is observed on April 1st every year. This day of jokes and pranks is believed to have stemmed from the 16th-century calendar change in France, when New Year’s Day was moved from April 1 to January 1. This action was taken due to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar.
However, a few people were resistant to the calendar change, so they continued to observe New Year’s Day on April 1st, rather than the new date. They were referred to as the “April Fools”, and others started playing mocking tricks on them. This custom endured, and is practiced to this day around the world!
1. Top One Million Words You Need to Know for April Fools’ Day
Do you want to know how to say April Fools’ Day in Indonesian? Well, there are millions of ways and words, but here are the top one million Indonesian words you really need to know! Simply click this link. Here are some of them you will find useful:
joke – bergurau
funny – lucu
surprise – kejutan
sneaky – licik
prankster – orang iseng
prank – lelucon
lie – bohong
humor – humor
fool – bodoh
deceptive – menipu
play a joke – menggodakan
April 1st – tanggal 1 April
2. Indonesian Phrases You Can Use on April Fools’ Day
Don’t limit yourself to practical jokes – use these April Fools’ phrases in Indonesian to prank your favorite Indonesian friend or colleague!
I learned Indonesian in 1 month.
Saya belajar bahasa Indonesia dalam 1 bulan saja.
All classes for today got canceled.
Semua kelas untuk hari ini telah dibatalkan.
I’m sorry, but I’ve just broken your favorite pair of glasses.
Maaf, saya baru saja mematahkan kacamata kesayangan kamu.
Someone has just hit your car.
Seseorang baru saja menabrak mobil Anda.
I’m getting married.
Saya akan menikah.
You won a free ticket.
Anda memenangkan tiket gratis.
I saw your car being towed.
Saya melihat mobil Anda ditarik.
They’re giving away free gift cards in front of the building.
Mereka membagi-bagikan kartu hadiah gratis di depan gedung.
A handsome guy is waiting for you outside.
Seorang pria yang tampan menunggu kamu di luar.
A beautiful lady asked me to give this phone number to you.
Seorang wanita cantik meminta saya untuk memberikan nomor telepon ini untuk kamu.
Can you come downstairs? I have something special for you.
Bisakah kamu turun ke bawah? Saya punya sesuatu yang istimewa untuk kamu.
Thank you for your love letter this morning. I never could have guessed your feelings.
Terima kasih atas surat cinta kamu pagi ini. Saya tidak pernah bisa menebak perasaan kamu.
Choose your victims carefully, though; the idea is to get them to laugh with you, not to hurt their feelings or humiliate them in front of others. Be extra careful if you choose to play a prank on your boss – you don’t want to antagonize them with an inappropriate joke.
3. Some of the Coolest April Fools’ Pranks To Play on Anybody
Right, now that you know the top million April Fools’ words in Indonesian, let’s look at some super pranks and tricks to play on friends, colleagues and family. Some April Fools ideas never grow old, while new ones are born every year.
Never joke in such a way that it hurts anyone, or humiliates them badly in front of others – the idea is for everybody to laugh and enjoy the fun! Respect is still key, no matter what day of the year it is.
1- Infestation
This trick is so simple, yet so creepy, it’s almost unbelievable. Take black paper, cut out the silhouette of a giant cockroach, a spider or another insect, and stick it inside the lampshade of a table lamp. When the lamp is switched on, it will look like a monstrous insect is sitting inside the lampshade. Or, get a whole lot of realistic-looking plastic insects, and spread them over a colleague’s desk and chair, or, at home, over the kids’ beds etc. Creep-factor: stellar.
2- Which One Doesn’t Fit?
Put the photo of a celebrity or a notorious politician in a frame, and take it to work on April Fools’ Day. Hang the photo on the staff picture wall, and wait. You’ll be surprised how long it can take for people to notice that one picture doesn’t fit.
3- Something Weird in the Restroom
At work, replace the air freshener in the restroom with something noxious like insect killer, oven cleaner or your own odious mixture in a spray bottle. Be sure to cover the bottle’s body so no one suspects a swap.
Or paint a bar of soap with clear nail polish, and leave it at the hand wash basin. It will not lather.
Or, if your workplace’s restroom has partitioned toilets with short doors, arrange jeans or trousers and shoes on all but one of the toilet covers, so it looks like every stall is occupied. Now wait for complaints, and see how long it takes for someone to figure out the April Fools’ Day prank. You’ll probably wish you had a camera inside the restroom. But, unless you don’t mind getting fired, don’t put your own recording device in there!
4- Call Me Funny
Prepare and print out a few posters with the following instructions: Lion Roar Challenge! Call this number – 123-456-7890 – and leave your best lion’s roar as voicemail! Best roarer will be announced April 10 in the cafeteria. Prize: $100. (Lion’s roar is just an example; you can use any animal call, or even a movie character’s unique sound, such as Chewbacca from Star Wars. The weirder, the funnier. Obviously!) Put the posters up in the office where most of the staff is likely to see them. Now wait for the owner of the number to visit you with murderous intent. Have a conciliatory gift ready that’s not a prank.
5- Minty Cookies
This is another simple but hugely effective prank – simply separate iced cookies, scrape off the icing, and replace it with toothpaste. Serve during lunch or tea break at work, or put in your family’s lunch boxes. Be sure to take photos of your victim’s faces when they first bite into your April Fools’ cookies.
6- Wild Shopping
At your local grocer, place a realistic-looking plastic snake or spider among the fresh vegetables. Now wait around the corner for the first yell.
7- The Oldest Trick in the Book
Don’t forget probably the oldest, yet very effective April Fools’ joke in the book – smearing hand cream or Vaseline on a door handle that most staff, family or friends are likely to use. Yuck to the max!
8- Sneeze On Me
Another golden oldie is also gross, yet harmless and utterly satisfying as a prank. Fill a small spray bottle that you can easily conceal with water. Walk past a friend, colleague or one of your kids, and fake a sneeze while simultaneously spraying them with a bit of water. Expect to be called a totally disgusting person. Add a drop of lovely smelling essential oil to the water for extra confusion.
9- Word Play Repairs
Put a fresh leek in the hand wash basin at home or work, and then tell your housemates or colleagues this: “There’s a huge leak in the restroom/bathroom basin, it’s really serious. Please can someone go have a look?!” Expect exasperation and smiles all around. Note that this prank is only likely to work where people understand English well.
10- Scary Face
Print out a very scary face on an A4 sheet of paper, and place it in a colleague’s, or one of your kid’s drawers, so it’s the first thing they see when they open the drawer. You may not be very popular for a while.
11- Wake Up To Madness
Put foamy shaving cream, or real whipped cream on your hand, and wake your kid up by tickling their nose with it. As long as they get the joke, this could be a wonderful and fun way to start April Fools’ Day.
12- Computer Prank
This one’s fabulous, if you have a bit of time to fiddle with a colleague, friend or your kid’s computer. It is most effective on a computer where most of the icons they use are on the desktop background itself (as opposed to on the bottom task bar).
Take and save a screenshot of their desktop with the icons. Set this screenshot as their background image. Now delete all the working icons. When they return to their computer, wait for the curses when no amount of clicking on the icons works.
13- Monster Under the Cup
This one will also work well anywhere people meet. Take a paper cup, and write the following on it in black pen: “Danger! Don’t lift, big spider underneath.” Place it upside-down on prominent flat surface, such as a kitchen counter, a colleague’s desk or a restaurant table. Expect some truly interesting responses.
14- Prank Door
Write in large letters on a large and noticeable piece of paper: PUSH. Tape this notice on a door that should be pulled to open, and watch the hilarious struggle of those clever souls who actually read signs.
4. How Can IndonesianPod101 Make Your April Fools’ Day Special?
If you happen to visit Indonesia, or if you work for any Indonesian company, knowing the above Indonesian prankster phrases can really lighten up your day. Showing you have a sense of humor can go a long way to cement good relationships in any situation. These phrases are at your disposal for free, as well as are these 100 core Indonesian words, which you will learn how to pronounce perfectly.
Also, don’t stop at learning April Fools’ phrases in Indonesian – bone up your Indonesian language skills with these FREE key phrases. Yes, IndonesianPod101 doesn’t joke when it comes to effective, fun and easy learning.
Now, as a bonus, test our super-learning technology, and learn the Top 1000 most useful phrases in Indonesian below! But that’s not all. Read on to learn how you can be eligible for large enrollment discounts at IndonesianPod101.
5. Top 1000 Most Useful Phrases in Indonesian – testing new technology
Help us by being a language guinea pig! Listen to this video above with embedded cutting-edge, frequency-based learning technology that enables you to learn large amounts of data in record time.
Note: This technology is in beta-phase of development, and we invite your input for fine-tuning.
To participate: Watch the video for instructions, and leave a comment to rate it. Your comment will make you eligible for large enrollment-fee discounts. To watch the video, please click the play button.
Thank you for helping IndonesianPod101! We’re serious about making learning Indonesian fun.
